Dear Azealia Banks:

I wish I could start this off with Tyra Banks’ “WE WERE ROOTING FOR YOU! WE WERE ALL ROOTING FOR YOU!” Fact is, most people weren’t rooting for you because you alienated the absolute hell out of the general public over and over again with your Twitter tirades and the numerous beefs with your peers they inspired.

For a millisecond, you were the wet dream for those of us longing to see you capitalize on Nicki Minaj kicking the door back open for female rappers. Unfortunately, it didn’t take you long to basically become the Crypt Keeper of said dreams.

Oh, sis. Didn’t we almost have it all?

Now, you’re probably still on a high from being released by your former label, Universal Music. You’ve been out here tweeting “I’S IS FREE!!!!!” and comparing yourself to Miss Celie. I don’t know you’re so giddy, though. All this has done is make certain that’ll even take longer for you to release a full-fledged album. That is, if you ever do. Not to mention, your label-less life lends further credence to the theory that you’re basically Foxy Brown without the hits.

It makes me so sad that we’ll probably never catch you at the hot spot. Even sadder is that even if you kept the deal with Universal and dropped an album (finally) featuring you and Jesus’ remake of “The Whisper Song,” it’d still only get nominal attention, because again, so many people curse the day you were allowed Internet access.

 

To be fair, you have been correct in your assessment that if you were a female rapper apart of a male-dominated crew as opposed to a lone horse, you probably wouldn’t face half of the disrespect you’ve faced at some of your male rapping peers. However, whereas T.I. could’ve minded his business the first time you (rightly) took shots at Iggy Azalea for being a phony, you’ve kept the bickering going – most recently taking an unnecessary shot at his wife.

Speaking of unnecessary, here’s a breakdown of your feuds:

  • Kanye West
  • Nicki Minaj
  • Pharrell
  • Lady Gaga
  • Kreayshawn
  • Dominique Young Unique
  • Lil’ Kim
  • Jim Jones
  • Angel Haze
  • Perez Hilton
  • Diplo
  • Rita Ora
  • Lily Allen
  • A$AP Rocky

 

Some of these people I wouldn’t donate saliva to in a five-alarm fire and a few came for you first as opposed to the other way around. Two things, however: You don’t always have to go tit-for-tat with someone (beloved), and somewhere along the way, you should’ve been a little more self-aware and concluded that if people think you’re argumentative, perhaps you’ve could given your password to a publicist who wants to earn their paycheck.

In the past, I’ve defended you from accusations that you’re homophobic given you yourself are a bisexual woman, who if anything, took “in house” drama to a space where most wouldn’t get it.

 

Even so, you have had a knack for attacking men by calling them soft – which is ironic coming from a person who has complained about sexism.

So let’s summarize: You fight too damn much online. You got in trouble for using a gay slur. You beefed with management and top recording artists and hit making producers. This is the recipe for a gumbo of failure. Or better yet, this is like spitting in God’s face and then praying for $10.

 

 

It’s all a pity because your 1991 EP is fantastic and your Fantasea mixtape was a very nice teaser for that album we still haven’t gotten. But again, the only folks who care to listen are those who have been committed to you –- and even many of them are ready to give it up, turn it loose, too.

I was one of the people cheering you on the sidelines, but I’ve since decided to occupy my time waiting for a thing more likely to happen than you ever becoming the big star you should already be: Joseline Hernandez performing at the inauguration of the first gay and agnostic Negro president.

I’m hopeful that maybe, just maybe, you’ll manage to somehow learn from your mistakes and sign with some other label who can help restore your image. I’m doubtful given you seem to still be reckless, self-destructive, and someone who doesn’t know when to quit.

 

 

If anything, you’re the first of many recording artists who will fall victim to their social media feeds. We’ll always have “212,” though. I’m sure that’s good enough to get you an episode of Unsung.